Judge: Jon R. Takasugi, Case: BC707386, Date: 2022-10-12 Tentative Ruling

Case Number: BC707386    Hearing Date: October 12, 2022    Dept: 17

Superior Court of California

County of Los Angeles

DEPARTMENT 17

TENTATIVE RULING

KCC, CCS, and Kurtzman’s motion to seal portions of their 8/15/2022 Reply is GRANTED.

Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint (FAC) against Whatley Kallas, LLP, Whatley Kallas, LLC, and Consumer Watchdog, alleging: (1) equitable indemnity; (2) contribution; and (3) declaratory relief.

            On 3/1/2022, Whatley Kallas, LLP (Whatley) filed a Cross-Complaint (XC) for implied equitable indemnity and declaratory relief against KCC Class Action Services, LLC (KCC), Kurtzman Carson Consultants (KCC), Computershare Communication Services, Inc. (CCS), and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Inc (Gibson).

            Now, KCC, CCS, and Kurtzman (Moving Parties) move to seal portions of the 8/15/2022 reply in support of demurrer.

Discussion

            Moving Parties move for an order to seal the following portions of their 8/15/2022 Reply:

-         Reply, page 1, lines 13-15

-         Reply, page 1, lines 16-17

-         Reply, page 2, lines 9-12

-         Reply, page 2, lines 15-18

-         Reply, page 2, lines 19-21

-         Reply, page 3, lines 3-6

-         Reply, page 7, line 18

-         Reply, page 8, lines 6-8

-         Reply, page 8, lines 8-9

-         Reply in Support of Clark Declaration, page 5, lines 1-5

Moving Parties request that the Court seal the above-described portions of their Reply because these materials discuss or reflect what KCC, Kurtzman, and Aetna have agreed to treat as confidential information.

Given the overriding interest in protecting confidential information, alongside the lack of opposition, the Court is persuaded that the motion should be granted.

Based on the foregoing, Moving Parties’ motion to seal is granted.

It is so ordered.

Dated:  October    , 2022

   Hon. Jon R. Takasugi
   Judge of the Superior Court

Parties who intend to submit on this tentative must send an email to the court at smcdept17@lacourt.org by 4 p.m. the day prior as directed by the instructions provided on the court website at www.lacourt.org.  If a party submits on the tentative, the party’s email must include the case number and must identify the party submitting on the tentative.  If all parties to a motion submit, the court will adopt this tentative as the final order.  If the department does not receive an email indicating the parties are submitting on the tentative and there are no appearances at the hearing, the motion may be placed off calendar. 

            Due to Covid-19, the court is strongly discouraging in-person appearances.  Parties, counsel, and court reporters present are subject to temperature checks and health inquiries, and will be denied entry if admission could create a public health risk.  The court encourages the parties wishing to argue to appear via L.A. Court Connect.  For more information, please contact the court clerk at (213) 633-0517.  Your understanding during these difficult times is appreciated.